Explain how the minor characters are important to the plot. In the book The Catcher in the Rye, there are four minor characters that are important to the plot. They are Robert Ackley, Holden Caulfield's parents, and Holden's sister Phoebe. Ackley was Holden's roommate at Pency until Holden got kicked out for bad grades. He reflects on Ackley throughout the story and when he does he remembers how Ackley sat in his room and pops his pimples, when he thought about this it made Holden depressed. Holden dreaded to see his parents since he got kicked out of Pency, but that didn't stop him from seeing his kid